Thursday, July 1, 2010

Things That Don't Suck Part II

White -breasted Nuthatches! These guys are from...well, I don't really remember anymore. They were near one of our field sites. The pair was very attentive to their nestlings, going in and out of the nest cavity all the time.

Speaking of WBNUs, there is a pair that keeps coming to the suet feeder (well..currently, there is no suet feeder because a black bear finally found it and destroyed it) and the bird bath/water fountain we set up right outside our window.

The water has attracted lots of birds (and ground squirrels and chipmunks, too). We've had Western Tanagers, White-headed Woodpeckesr, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Mountain Chickadees, Steller's Jay, a Robin pair, Douglas's Squirrels, lots of chipmunks, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Rock and Western Gray Squirrels. There might be a few that I'm forgetting. Shadow Shot

But really, the point right now is that there is a lot of activity at the water and this makes me happy. I'm pretty bummed. Sad. Depressed. About to admit myself to some sort of institution...because of the oil spill..because Bf'inP is burning sea turtles alive. (Sign the petition if you have any heart at all). (Side Note: Here's theupdate on that...at least something got 'resolved' quickly but the fact that they have to come to an agreement about something that horrid absolutely kills my faith in the human race) The guys coming to the feeders and the water put a smile on my face. Watching the White-headed Woodpecker female bathing in our little rigged up bird bath made me forget the sadness for a while...the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (who I have named Norm) stuffing his cheeks until they are fatter than fat...that makes the pain go away for a few minutes.

Perfect photos of the Nuthatches, this particular, I have never seen in my life. It's nice to have these moments forget for a moment the immense catastrophe. We are with you sad and ar thinking very much of you.

Marvelous captures as always, Jill! And being able to see and photograph this beauty does help give us at least a little break for the horror of the oil spill that does indeed affect us all. I have signed several petitions, just hope they get some kind of action soon!